English clubs are desperate to sign Jude Bellingham, their national team’s upcoming superstar.Image: dpa / Bernd Thissen
Does he stay or does he go? Borussia Dortmund is still awaiting Jude Bellingham’s decision on whether or not he wants to stay in Dortmund. If he wants to leave, he will probably leave BVB in the summer and take the next step – the fee could then be up to 150 million euros.
Spanish media, meanwhile, are certain that the 19-year-old can’t resist Real Madrid’s reputation. According to the English media, however, Liverpool FC is the favorite for the Bellingham commitment. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is also keen to see the England international join the ranks of his heart club and has meanwhile offered his help to the squad planners of the LFC.
Steven Gerrard wants to lure Jude Bellingham to Liverpool personally.Image: imago / Shutterstock
‘Obviously one for us’: Gerrard wants to help at Bellingham poker
“Bellingham is obviously one for us,” said Gerrard. “I’m a huge fan [von ihm] and Liverpool is currently missing exactly such an eighth, which can also be seen offensively in the penalty area and sometimes scores a goal. Bellingham checks it all off,” explains the 42-year-old on the British pay-TV broadcaster BT Sports.
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Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp is also a fan of the 19-year-old Dortmund professional and would like to have him on his team. “We would be stupid if we didn’t have him on the screen,” he recently told “Sport Bild”.
Jürgen Klopp keeps the ball flat when publicly wooing Jude Bellingham.Image: AP / Jon Super
When courting Bellingham, the Liverpool coach can now rely on Gerrard’s help. “He just has to give me a date and I’ll fly to Dortmund to [Bellingham] to convince them to move to Liverpool,” offers the 114-cap England international, half-jokingly.
Will Bellingham be put off by Liverpool’s lull?
It is more than questionable whether Klopp will accept the offer of a former professional, who was also the coach of league rival Aston Villa. However, he could use the support, at least in time: he currently has his hands full to stabilize Liverpool FC in the league.
The actual championship favorite is only ninth in the table, the recent 0-0 draw against Chelsea, which is also weakening, didn’t help. This even threatens to miss the qualification for the Champions League.
Some media and experts have recently speculated whether Klopp could face expulsion from Liverpool. However, the club – and especially the fans – still stand behind the coach who finally led Liverpool back to the championship after 25 years.
For winning the 2019/20 Championship, Klopp is being adored by Liverpool fans.Image: imago images / PA Images
At least Steven Gerrard does not believe that the current phase of weakness could deter Bellingham: “Jude is smart enough to know that they will reach finals, have one of the best coaches in the world and develop players.” However, a player of Bellingham’s level will surely insist on playing in Europe’s premier club.
Youssoufa Moukoko let BVB fidget a bit: Sports director Sebastian Kehl actually wanted to make the deal clear at the training camp in Marbella, Spain. But after numerous international clubs had started courting the 18-year-old German national player – and probably also pushed up the price – Moukoko and his agent initially hesitated with the commitment.